immovable

1 of 2

adjective

im·​mov·​able (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-bəl 

1

: incapable of being moved

broadly : not moving or not intended to be moved

2

a

: steadfast, unyielding

b

: not capable of being moved emotionally

immovability

(ˌ)i(m)-ˌmü-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

immovableness

(ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-bəl-nəs 

noun

immovably

(ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-blē 

adverb

immovable

2 of 2

noun

1

: one that cannot be moved

2

immovables plural : real property as opposed to movable property

Synonyms

Adjective

• immobile
• immotile
• irremovable
• nonmotile
• nonmoving
• unbudging
• unmovable

Examples of immovable in a Sentence

Adjective

that boulder is immovable, even with a bulldozer

despite tears and pleading, the police officer was immovable on the matter of a hefty fine for speeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Sounders, who gave up a league-low 35 goals in 34 regular-season games and just two more in three postseason matches, were the immovable object. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024

The towering and seemingly immovable Banks, a junior at the University of Texas who has started every game at left tackle in his first two seasons with the Longhorns, is a pre-season All-American in many people’s minds, as well as a future potential first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. —Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Aug. 2024

In August, one of the exercises that Maria Mountain, founder of Goalie Training Pro in London, Ontario, prescribes for her goalies is an overcoming isometric, or a press against an immovable object. —Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024

There was still plenty of art to see, including a few works that are immovable. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

immovable

adjective

im·​mov·​able

(ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ü-və-bəl

1

a

: not able to be moved

b

: not moving : stationary

2

: steadfast sense 1b

immovability

(ˌ)im-ˌ(m)ü-və-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

immovably

(ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ü-və-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

immovable

1 of 2 adjective

im·​mov·​able im-ˈmü-və-bəl 

: incapable of being moved see also immovable property at property

immovable

2 of 2 noun

: an item of immovable property (as land, standing timber, or a building)

a manufactured home placed upon a lot or tract of land shall be an immovable

—Louisiana Revised Statutes

also : an interest or right (as a servitude) in an item of immovable property

a predial servitude is an incorporeal immovable

—Louisiana Civil Code

—often used in pl. compare movable